Pipe-joint.



L. 0. MARKHAM.

PIPE JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 28, 1915.

1 ,21 0,090. Patented Dec. 26, 1916.

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PIPE-JQINT.

Specification of Letters Patent Patented D086, 26, ll lifiotlontinuation in part of application Serial Ito. 1,770, filed March t,1915. This application filed December 23, 1915. Seria1 No.69,05?.

To all cultom it may concern: 4

Be it lgnown that l, Lorenzo U. MARK- nema citizen of the UnitedStatesresida ing at Aberdeen, in the county of Grays Harbor and State ofWashington, have in-- which was allowed June 29, 1915.

' ,An object is to provide 'a pipe joint by means of which lengths ofpipe may be connected together or disconnected from each otherwith thegreatest facility without the necessity of tools, and when connectedwill produce a fluid tight joint.

in places whereit is customary to employ long lengths of pipe and todrag gsuch lengths of pipe through underbrush and the like, it hasheretofore been customary to' employ ordinary straight couplings andor-. dmary unions wh1ch, 1n the case of unions,

require packing, and moreover, require the may be easily operated by thefingers to release and lock the members, as is desired.

use of such tools'as wrenches. V l y In accordance with the presentinvention the pipe joint is made of two matching sections with themeeting ends beveled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the joint,

' While adjacent, to the meeting ends the re spective members of thejoint are provided -with tongue and groove connections which may gotogether on a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the joint.This per- 'jmits the use of. accurately ground surfaces where the joinedends meet, so that with the aid of a gasket the joint becomes fluidtight, and as water is the usual fluid empl'oyed, the joint may besaidto be water tight. l

To avoid sharpcorners or projections and excessive diameter in onedirection, the joint where the two sections meet is made elliptical incross-section with the longer axis of the ellipse coincident with thepath of move ment of the two parts into and out of en gagement. Becauseof its elliptical form,

which because of'its rounded contour, avoids any interference withmovements of the pipe through under-brush and the like, the passagethrough the pipe joint is, where the meeting surfaces engage, also madeelliptieal, so that its cross-sectional area at such point is aslarge-as at the ends where the passage through the pipe joint iscircular in cross-section. I v I Since the meetingedges of the twomembers of the pipejoint, where beveled, may be made of relatively largearea, and of larger area than the tongue and groove connections,especially in the absence of any projecting parts, and since the angleof bevel or inclination may be relatively slight, the

vide therelatively laterally movable mem-' bers with a. latch, .which iscounter-sunk in theouter faces of the members, and which This feature ofthe invention contemplates the provision of an improved spring means thelatch in either locked on for retaining released pos1tion-,*and formaintaining the latch in true longitudinal alinement with themembers-and the peculiar mounting of the sprin means.

A further feature of the present.invention is in the provision of apacking gasket-or ring which is peculiarly mounted in one of the groundfaces of the coupling, the ring being held within the face and beingpermitted to expand at its outer end or face,

so as to insure the sealing ofthe coupling.

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings forming a part of this specification. with thefurther understanding that While the drawingsshow a practical form ofthe invention, the latter is not confined to any strict conformity withthe showing of the drawings, but may be changed and modified so long assuch changes and modifications mark no materialdeparture fromthe salientfeatures of the invention V,

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an elevation of the pipe joint. Fig. 2 isan elevation of the pipe joint as seen from a point of view at rightangles to that of Fig. 1.-

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 with one member of the pipe joint inlongitudinal diametric section. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal diametricsection through the pipe oint and adjacent ends of pipes connectedthereby, the plane of the section being at right angles to that of Fig.3. Figs. 5 and 6 are end elevations of the respective members of thepipe joint. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional fragmentary view of theinner end of the locking latch and retaining means therefor. Fig. 8 isanenlarged sectional view of the same, taken at right angles to theshowing in Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmen tary sectional viewofone of the coupling members, showing. the packing mounted therein, andbeing compressed. Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of thecoupling member with the packing ring therein, showing the outstandingposition of the same when released and expanded.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a pipe joint comprising twomembers 1 and 2. The member 1 has one end 3 interiorly tapped for thereception of the threaded end ofa pipe 4, and the member 2 has one end 5interiorly tapped for the reception of the threaded end of a pipe 5*.

That end of the joint member 1 remote from the tapped end 3 is ofelliptical crosssection with the outer end face 6 slightly inclined orbeveled with respect to a diametric plane perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of themember 1.

The,pipe member 1 adjacent to the bevel edge 6 and on opposite sides ofthe long diameter of the elliptically formed'end is narrowed along theshorter diameter to form laterally extended faces 7 in substantiallychord relation to the circumferential portion of the'elliptical end, andbetween these faces 7 and the bo-dyoi the member 1, at the side ofeachface .7 remote from the bevel edge 6, there is produced-agroove 8parallel with a corresponding long diameter of the ellipticalend.

The coupling member 2, at the end remote from the end 5, is also ofelliptical cross-section similar to that of the member 1 and terminatesin an'end face 9 correspondingly beveled to the bevel of the face 6 ofthe member 1.

lengthwise of the member 1 are two-wings ing groove 8 in the member 1.The spacing apart of the inner walls of the projections 'or wings 10,which-inner walls are in parallel relation and are indicated at 12, issuch Extending from the face 9* remote as to receive between them theportions of the member 1 having the faces 7, which faces are broader inthe direction of the length of the member 1 than is the'width of eachgroove 8 in the same direction.

Extending lengthwise through the meme beer 1 is a central passage 13,and extending lengthwise through the member 2 is a similar lengthwisepassage 1d. The passage 13 where approaching the surface 6 is narrowedin the direction of the shorter axis of the ellipse and elongated in thedirection of the longer axis of the ellipse to form an elliptical mouthportion 15 in general conformity to the elliptical shape of the end ofthe coupling member 1 terminating in the surface 6. The passage 14 has asimilarly shaped mouth 16 matching the mouth 15 when the couplingmembers are in proper engagement. Owing to the narrowing of the beveledfaces of the coupling members where meeting, due

to the elliptical form of such ends of the coupling members, a passageof even diameter straight through the coupling would render the walls atthese meeting edges unreasonably thin, but there is ample thickness ofmetal in the direction of the long axis of the ellipse. For this reasonthe mouth openings 15 and 16 are elongated in the direction of suchlong'axisto provide passage areas at these points equal to thecross-sectional area of the round orcylindrical portion of the passageswhere the pipes i and 5 are connected to the coupling members. l

In one of the end faces, which are beveled and meet when the couplingmembers are interlocked, preferably the end face 9, there is seated agasket or packing ring 15. As may be best seen from Fig; 9 of thedrawings, a dove-tailed groove 16* is formed in the face 9 to receiveand retain therein the packing ringer gasket 15. The outer oppositeedges of the dove-tailed groove 16 are beveled, as at 17, to admit ofthe spreading or flaring of the outer edge or face of the gasket 15 toseal the joint between the faces 6 and 9. lit is, of course,understooodd that this packing ring 15, and this retaining dove-tailedgroove 16 extend annularly about the central openingli in the member 2,and are equally spaced at all sides of the member 2 from the inner wallof the same.

' Tt may be found convenient to provide means for securing the members 1and 2 together when they are interlocked, so as to prevent them fromsliding sidewise or lat pivot pin 19, preferably in the form of a screwor bolt, which is suitably countersunk in the side of the member 11,passing in the direction of a chord through the mem- V urged upwardlyagainst the heel of the latch till her 1, and being held in position bya counter-sunk nut 20, or the like, which engages in threaded relationwith the outer end of the bolt 19. The latch lever 18 lies in a recess21 formed longitudinally in the side of the member 1, and has its innerend apertured and disposed in the longitudinal plane of the bolt 19, soas to pivotally mount the latch lever. on the bolt and admit of the freerotation of the lever. As shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 41, the latch lever 18is'swung down into locked position and wherein its outer end or nose 22lies in a recess or notch 23 formed in the opposite member 2, and inlongitudinal alinement with the recess 21 in themember 1. When themembers are brought into alihement by their relative lateral slidingmovement, and the members are entirely closed, the recesses 21 and 23are brought into longitudinal registry. The latch lever 18 may now beswung down or inwardly into these registering recesses to engage theopposite walls thereof, and thus hold the members 1 and 2 from lateraldisplacement with respect to each other. When the latch lever 18 isswung down, it lies flush with the outer surfaceof the coupling,

so as to prevent any obtruding. parts which are liable to catch insurrounding objects to injure the coupling or the objects with whichthey engage. a

r The presentinvention also includes means for yieldingly holding thislatch lever in locked position, or for holding it in released position,so that he members. may be separated without being hampered by the latchlever. This means comprises a helical spring 2 1, seated in a pocket 25formed immediately beneath the pivotal support or heel of the latch 18,and immediately beneath the pivot bolt 19. A cap or disk 26 is fitted inthe pocket or recess 25, which latter is of interior cross-sectionalconfiguration, preferably conforming to the contour of the disk or cap26,-so as to" guide the latter in its vertical movement-under the actionof the spring at. The disk or cap 26 is normally 18, so as to normallyexert a spring. tension on' the latch 18 to hold it in its lockedposition, or in its released position when swung over to engage theupper edge or side of the latch with the disk26. From Figs. 7 and 8, itwill be noted that the upper face of the ,cap or disk 26 is providedwitha diametrically extending groove or recess 27 of a width sufficient toreceive the lower edge of the latch lever 18-therein for the purpose ofholding the disk 26 from turning upon the upper end of the spring 24:,and also for the purpose of centering the latch lever 18 The faces 6 and9 are ground into con-c formity one with the other, so that when onemember of the coupling is moved into engagement with the other byengaging the tongues 11 in the grooves 8. this movement is performedwith ease until'finally the beveled edges 6 and Q are brought intocontact. The parts are so proportioned that this contact occurs justbefore one coupling memher is in full alinement with the other. N ow, bythe aid of a hammer or some other driving means by which a blow may begiven to one side of the coupling in line with the direction of movementof the coupling members when engaging, these coupling members areforcibly moved into full alinement where the friction of the faces'6 and9, and the friction of the tongues 11 in the grooves 8. firmly hold thetwo members of the coupling in engagement against all ordinary forcestending to separate them. The faces 6 and 9 present relatively largesurfaces so that when they are once in frictional, engagement aconsiderably greater force than that to which the coupling members aresubjected when in use is necessary to cause a disengaging movement ofthe coupling members with relation to each other.

When the coupling is used in locations where the pipe is dragged overthe ground and through brush and thelike, all sharp corners orprojections must be avoided, and with the present invention are avoided,the coupling members where joining having their exteriors in the form ofgentle curves extending lengthwise of the coupling with no sharp cornersliable to catch upon any thing. The coupling of the present invention ismost readily connected and disconnected, has no loose gaskets or othermeans liable tobe misplaced or lost, and when put together provides awater tight joint having no liability of accidental separation, and,moreover, the full capacity of the water pipe is provided through thecoupling by reason of the elliptical form of the mouth of the passagethrough the coupling at the meeting ends of the coupling members.

Uf course, it will be understood that instead of connecting pipes 4 and5*"as shown, the'coupling may be provided with any other kinds ofconnecting pipes, whether metallic pipes, or hose or the like, but asany of a great variety of such pipes may be employed, it is not deemednecessary. to

its

with or without the locking feature, but it is found particularlydesirable to use the locking device when the coupling is used as a hosecoupling. in Fig. of the drawings, it is clearly shown that when thepacking ring is released, when the coupling members 1 and 2 aredisconnected, the outer edge of the ring projects substantiallyone-sixteenth of an inch, beyond the abutting face 9 of the member 2,which carries the ring. In other words, the packing springs out of thebeveled portions of the face 9 at the opposite sides of the re cess 16the beveled portions 17 admitting of the expansion or spreading of thepacking ring .When the members 1 and 2 are brought together into tightfitting engagement. This latter spreading of the packin rin 15 is shownto advanta e in Fi 10. .The improved coupling provides for a groundjoint, and at the same time a gasket joint, so that the coupling maywithstand considerable wear, and maintain considerable pressure withoutleakage. It is within the spirit of this invention to change the designand arrangement of the several elements which go to make up the couplingand the latch means therefor, as far as the scope of the followingclaims permit, in order to adapt the coupling to the various usestowhich it may be applied, and in order to interchange the latchmechanism or gasket packing'which is de scribed above ashaving a certainspecific location.

What is claimed is 1. A pipe coupling comprising two members havingtongue and groove connections extending laterallyo of the length of thecoupling with the meeting ends of the coupling beveled with respect tothe direction of movement of the. coupling members toconducting passagesthrough the coupling members of elliptical form at the meeting, ends ofsaid members to provide a cross-secevide a receive the heel of saidlatch.

tional area as great as that at the outer ends of these members.

2. A pipe coupling comprising two members having tongue and grooveconnections extending laterally of the length of the coupling with themeeting ends of the coupling beveled with respect to the direction ofmovement of the coupling members together and with the meeting facesgipund to provide a fluid tight joint, one of said meeting faces havinga dove-tailed annular groove therein, which is flared at'its outer side,a gasket fitted in the dove-tailed groove and adapted to becompressedbetween said faces, and to expand in the flared outer side ofthe groove to seal the joint, said coupling being of ellipticalcross-seetion at the meeting ends of its members, and

with the fluid conducting passages through the coupling members ofelliptical form at the meeting ends of said members, toprocross-sectional area as great as that at the outer ends of thesemembers.

3. In a pipe coupling including two members having tongue and grooveconnections extending laterallv of the length of the coupling, a latchpivotally mounted in countersunk relation in the side of one ofthemembers, said member having a pocket beneath the pivoted end of saidlatch and having a recess extending longitudinally ofthe latch, theopposite member having a corresponding recess in its outer face inregistry with the first recess to receive the outer end of said latchwhen the members are coupled, whereby the latch spans the tongue andgroove connection, a springin said pocket,

and a cap mounted on the outer end of the spring for mo vement in thepocket, and provided with a recess in its upper face to In testimony,that I claim the foregoin as my own, I have hereto afixed my signa--ture in the presence of two witnesses LORENZO O. MARKHAM.

lVitnesses: 1 I

Louis H; Um, Same B. Sharron,

